Ravens vs Browns   Results, Match Player Stats & Records

Monken served as the Ravens' offensive coordinator for the past three seasons before landing the Browns' job after last season.

"I have a lot of good friends and people there," Monken said of the Ravens on Wednesday. "Other than that, it's a divisional game and it's the next one."

Ravens right tackle Roger Rosengarten recalled Monken telling the offense that victories in division games count as a win-and-a-half. So, of course, Rosengarten and teammates such as cornerback Marlon Humphrey aren't buying Monken's line about just another Sunday.

"He was probably one of my favorite coaches of all time," Humphrey said of Monken. "If I know Todd the way I think I know Todd, he will want to kick our tails."

It certainly ranks as a big game for the Ravens (4-1) and Browns (3-2).

The other two teams in the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals, also are 3-2 in a division that has been strong over the first third of the season.

Baltimore ruled out quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) on Friday. It will be his second straight missed game.

"I think it's just a decision for his best interest," first-year coach Jesse Minter said. "That's really what every decision's always going to be about."

Tyler "Snoop" Huntley will again make the start after guiding the Ravens to last week's 30-23 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

"His confidence, it's infectious," Minter said of Huntley. "Snoop, for being in the position that he's in when you're the next guy in, to have that it goes a long way with guys. We won't bat an eye with Snoop in there."

Jackson, who didn't practice all week, won his second NFL MVP award in 2023 when Monken was running the Ravens' offense.

Huntley scored the game-winning points against Atlanta on a 1-yard run. He completed 24 of 32 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns.

Monken is also quite familiar with Huntley, who started eight games (4-4 record) during Monken's three seasons in Baltimore.

When asked if the Browns were preparing for Jackson this week, Monken didn't bite.

"I think you prepare for the Ravens," Monken said at midweek. "... I've been there where we played Snoop. Snoop is a really good football player and has won a lot of football games as a starter."

Ravens running back Derrick Henry rushed for 102 yards against Atlanta. He ranks fifth in the NFL in rushing yards (476) and is tied for second with seven rushing touchdowns.

Cleveland is struggling offensively and ranks 29th in total offense (273.6 yards per game) and tied for 27th in scoring offense (18.6 points per game). The Browns had just 198 yards in last weekend's 17-12 loss to the Jets in New Jersey.

Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson said the running game has to improve for the Browns to find balance and keep defenses on their heels. Quinshon Judkins has a team-best 221 yards but averages just 3.0 per carry.

"Being able to run the ball is one of the hardest things to do in this league," Watson said. "If we can do that, it opens up a lot of things."

While Jackson will sit out for Baltimore, outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson (finger) will return after missing the past two games. Hendrickson underwent surgery before missing the two contests.

"We're always going to try to have the best interest of the player," Minter said. "The path that we went down was really in (Hendrickson's) best interest, both short-term and long-term. I'm excited for him to be back out there."

Center Cam Jurgens (concussion), who was recently acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles, was also ruled out by the Ravens. Defensive tackle Broderick Washington will sit out as well.

Receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (wrist) returned from injured reserve to practice and is listed as questionable. Also questionable are offensive tackle Emery Jones Jr. (ankle) and guard Andrew Vorhees (foot).

Cleveland ruled out five players on Friday: defensive tackles Kalia Davis (quadriceps) and Mike Hall Jr., quarterback Dillon Gabriel (back), guard Teven Jenkins (back) and running back Dylan Sampson (knee). Jenkins will miss his sixth straight game.

Judkins (ankle), defensive tackle Mason Graham (knee/ankle), linebacker Carson Schwesinger (ankle) and defensive end Derek Barnett (ankle) are all questionable for Cleveland. Graham sat out against the Jets.

Also, Browns rookie receiver KC Concepcion cleared the concussion protocol and is set to play. Concepcion took a blow to the head in the first quarter last week from New York Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.

The Ravens won both matchups last season and have beaten Cleveland three straight times.

--Field Level Media